Written by Lucía Goberna, Dianova.
Prevention is a science. As such, it should be adequately monitored and assessed. Prevention is much more than simply raising awareness of a given problem. While it is important to raise public awareness, prevention work has many more implications. Evaluating prevention interventions is essential if we are to avoid their possible iatrogenic consequences, i.e. the unintended harm that may be associated with them, and ensure their effectiveness. Unfortunately, there are still prevention programmes that are not only irrelevant, but also counterproductive. It’s time to change the culture of prevention.
On June 9, some twenty national and international experts met in the Asturian city of Oviedo to discuss strategies for preventing addiction (drugs and other addictive behaviours), address current challenges in the field and, finally, present the initial results of a universal prevention programme developed by the Proyecto Hombre association. The event was organized by the Proyecto Hombre association and the CESPA – Proyecto Hombre Asturias foundation, with the support of Oviedo city council.